A total of 361 deputies in the lower house of Poland's parliament voted to defeat the civic legislative proposal at an initial stage on Thursday, while 48 supported it and 12 abstained, state news agency PAP reported.
Anita Czerwińska, a lawmaker with the ruling conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, which commands a majority in the house, said the proposal was "unacceptable" and likely to "lead to social unrest."
Anita Czerwińska, a lawmaker with Poland's ruling conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party. Photo: PAP/Marcin Obara
Just 41 of the ruling right-wing party's 228 lawmakers were for proceeding with work on the bill, the AP news agency reported.
Submitted by a group called the Pro-Right to Life Foundation, the proposal sought up to 25 years in prison or even life sentences for women getting an abortion and anyone assisting them.
Poland's constitutional court last year ruled that abortion due to serious fetal defects and severe illnesses violated the country's constitution.
Under those regulations, a pregnancy may only be terminated if it endangers the woman's life or health or if it is a result of "a forbidden act," such as rape or incest.
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Source: IAR, PAP, AP